Spring has already arrived, and with it, the highly anticipated iOS 16.4 public release is just around the corner. Apple had previously announced that the next major update for iOS would be released in Spring, and according to the latest newsletter by Mark Gurman, we can expect it to arrive in the next three weeks. This means that the update should be here by the end of March or the start of April. With the upcoming release, there are several exciting new features to look forward to. In this article, we’ll explore the five new features expected in the iOS 16.4 update.
iOS 16.4 Stable Public Release to Rollout Soon
The iOS 16.4 public release is expected to be available to all iPhones above iPhone 8 in the next three weeks. Apple released the iOS 16.4 Beta 4 last week to all beta testers, and based on the company’s track record, we can expect the stable public release of iOS 16.4 any day now. Typically, every major iOS version gets at least 3-4 betas before the public release, depending on the number of bugs and glitches found. However, iOS 16.4 Beta 4 has been smooth sailing so far, indicating that the public release is imminent.
iOS 16.4 Public Release: 5 New Features
Every major iOS update brings several new features to enhance the overall iPhone user experience, and the upcoming iOS 16.4 is no exception. The Beta 4 of the next update has revealed several exciting and useful features, including:
1. Latest Emojis
iOS 16.4 brings the latest emojis that were introduced with Unicode 15.0. These new emojis include Khanda (Sikh religious symbol), Wi-Fi, maraca, ginger, jellyfish, angel wing, moose, and an actual Hi5 emoji, among others. Interestingly, WhatsApp recently introduced the same set of emojis in its Beta Update too.
2. Web Push Notifications
The latest iOS update introduces support for web push notifications through Safari. This opt-in feature will let users receive push notifications from their favorite websites, similar to those sent by apps. However, only those websites added to the home screen as web apps will be able to send push notifications.
3. Easy Beta Version Download
Downloading beta versions of iOS has never been simpler and hassle-free. iOS 16.4 brings a new “Beta Updates” menu in the Settings app under General> Software Update. If you are part of the Developer Program, you can download beta updates directly from your iPhone, without the need to install a configuration profile. The new menu also makes enabling public beta from the iPhone more accessible.
4. Improved Podcast App
If you consume podcasts on the Apple Podcast app, there’s good news for you. The app now features a new Channels menu, which offers a unified list of all podcast channels in one place. Additionally, the Up Next queue now shows episodes that users have saved to their Library and episodes played from shows they do not follow. These improvements have also been extended to CarPlay, which shows the Up Next and Recently Played lists under the Listen Now tab.
5. Revamped Home App Architecture
Apple is bringing back the improved Home App architecture that arrived with iOS 16.2 but was rolled back due to bugs. The update to the Home app is optional in iOS 16.4, and it will enhance the app’s overall performance and reliability.
Conclusion
In conclusion, iOS 16.4 is expected to bring several exciting new features that will improve the overall iPhone user experience. From the latest emojis to the improved
